Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has asked all officers of the Nigerian Army who have not declared their assets to do so immediately.
A statement released today by military spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, revealed that General Buratai “gave the directive today during a conference with Principal Staff Officers and Directors serving at the Army Headquarters.”
The Nigerian Armed Forces have been in the spotlight after an audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari found that numerous retired and serving military officers may have colluded in billions of dollars worth of weapons procurement deals. Mr. Buhari asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commence an investigation of the officers.
Colonel Usman’s statement disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff had declared his own assets shortly after his “appointment as Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force in May 2015 and also on his appointment as Chief of Army Staff in July 2015.” He revealed that copies of both declarations were with the Code of Conduct Bureau.
According to the press statement, the directive to officers to declare their assets was justified owing to the fact all military officers “are public servants, as well as subject to both civil and military laws.”
Colonel Usman added that the order to officers to declare their assets was in keeping with “the current drive of the country for probity and accountability.” He wrote, “the Nigerian Army should not only key in but should be one of the key drivers for such laudable project.”